The Nouakchott International Film Festival, chaired by the famous Mauritanian director Abderrahman Lahi, recently held its first edition in the Mauritanian capital. This cultural event brought together directors from different countries, highlighting 28 feature and short films. Among them was the promising short film by a young Mauritanian director, Abdoulaye Sall.
The opening evening was marked by the screening of Abdoulaye Sall’s short film, which was warmly received by the public. Presented at the Cannes Film Festival, this short film addresses the difficulties faced by a street vendor returning to his country to provide for his family. Inspired by the director’s personal story, this film explores the themes of love, emigration and life choices.
For Abdoulaye Sall, this opportunity to present his work at the Nouakchott International Film Festival is a source of pride and a recognition of his talent. Having followed training in editing in Senegal, he sees this experience as a way to promote Mauritanian cinema internationally and to further develop it in his country. He also expresses his desire to see more support and subsidies for Mauritanian filmmakers in order to promote their representation on the international scene.
The festival was also an opportunity to highlight the training of young local talents. Of the 28 films screened, 7 were produced during workshops specially organized for the event. Mohamed El Moustapha El Bane, president of the festival, underlines the importance of encouraging these young talents and affirms the need to support film production in Mauritania. He believes that there is real potential in terms of local talent and that the festival is an opportunity for filmmakers and the public of Nouakchott to discover these works.
Unfortunately, the festival was interrupted due to national mourning for the victims of the Gaza hospital. However, it will end with the award ceremony for the best international short and feature films, as well as those made on location using smartphones and during the workshops.
In conclusion, the Nouakchott International Film Festival was an opportunity to highlight the talent of Mauritanian filmmakers and to encourage the emergence of young local talents. This cultural event promotes Mauritanian cinema on an international scale and encourages its development in the country. Despite its temporary interruption, the festival represents an important step in the development of the film industry in Mauritania.